of it, after you left, I think I got worse for a bit.”
“That sounds much more on-brand for Santino Rossi.”
“Yeah…it was a phase. Then the Harris Brothers all started getting married, one on top of the other, and I finally started believing that if they could have it, so could I.”
He shrugs like what he said is no big deal when I know it’s a very big deal. Santino was anti-relationship from the moment I met him. He made that very clear…which, at the time, was part of the appeal. It’s fascinating to see how different he is now.
Silence descends on us as emotion creeps up in the depths of my eyes. “Can I ask you a question?” I hear my heart speaking even though my mind wants it to shut the bloody hell up.
“Always,” he replies, his face taking on a severe look.
“What was it you wanted to talk to me about a couple of years ago…when you asked for Mac’s blessing?” My face flames with heat that I pray to fuck he can’t see.
He flinches, and his eyes instantly cast downward. “It’s not important now.”
“It must have been somewhat important for you to approach my brother,” I volley back, wondering if it had anything to do with things from his past that he alluded to.
He looks up at me with narrowed eyes. “I feel like this is more than breaking your rules.”
“You didn’t want rules to begin with.” I stare him down with blatant challenge as my inner voice screams at me for being weak.
He sighs heavily as his eyes rove over my face, taking in every feature in a way that makes me feel naked. “You know, I don’t care what you said in the lift. I still blame myself for what happened to you.”
My lips part. “Why?”
His face bends in sympathy. “Even with our stupid rules we had in the past, I could see you weren’t right. I could see you were struggling.”
I shake my head slowly. “It had nothing to do with you.”
“I know but—”
“But nothing,” I cut him off. “I made my own choices that night. Choices that had consequences, and well…it doesn’t matter now. Things turned out as they were meant to, and now I’m here, eating dumplings.”
He smiles slowly. “With an old friend.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Business colleague.”
When he laughs, the sound sends a flurry through my lower belly. “You’re going to be my friend, Tilly Logan.”
“Whatever you say, Sonny,” I grumble and then take another sip of my coffee “And don’t think I didn’t realise you just deftly avoided my question.”
He rolls his eyes. “Sober or not, you’re still nothing but trouble, Tilly Logan.”
And I have a sinking feeling that Santino Rossi might like trouble.
Miraculously, Santino let me pay for dinner, and when we’re back in his car, I realise we’re not heading home towards Brick Lane. “Where are we going?”
“I have a surprise for you.”
“Oh?”
“It’s why I told you to dress comfortably.” He shoots me a wink as he rounds a corner. “That’s my building right there,” he says casually.
I glance over at a large, four-level brick and glass structure. It stands out amongst the other more dated buildings. “Is that where we’re going?” I ask, my pulse quickening as images of us stumbling through his old flat as we ditch our clothes piece by piece fill my mind.
“No,” he replies with a laugh. “We’re just passing it on the way.”
“Oh.” I exhale heavily and do my best to get my mind out of the gutter.
Moments later, he pulls up to a fenced-in parking garage. An older man comes out of a brick security booth and approaches the vehicle. Santino rolls the window down. “Hiya, Sedgwick.”
“Good evening, Mr. Rossi.” Sedgwick dips his head to make eye contact with me. “Hello, Miss.”
“Um, hi?” I croak, my eyes zeroing in on his jacket that says Tower Park Grounds Crew on the left breast pocket.
“Are we all clear?” Santino asks.
“You sure are. Roger kicked the lights on for you a bit ago, so they should be nice and warmed up.”
“Brilliant. You guys are amazing.”
Sedgwick hits Santino with a serious look. “Well, we appreciated you working on our union contracts pro bono, so this is the least we can do.” Sedgwick dips his head and gives me a kind smile. “You must be a special young lady to warrant this kind of an evening.”
“I’m not even sure what’s going on yet,” I reply with a nervous chuckle.
“You will soon enough,” Sedgwick says